Capital flight in the context of the Cold War refers to the massive ongoing exodus of both legitimate and illegitimate funds of Russian oligarchs and their state cronies to “safe havens” in foreign banks and offshore accounts outside of Russia.

This capital flight — a large-scale exodus of financial assets and capital from a country due to economic or political instability — leads to a decrease in investment and a deterioration of the country’s financial health. It often occurs in response to events that undermine investor confidence, such as political upheaval, economic mismanagement, or the imposition of capital controls.

When investors perceive their assets to be at risk within a country, they may move them to perceived safer markets, which can exacerbate the original instability, leading to a vicious cycle of economic decline.

This phenomenon can have profound implications for a nation’s economy, including a depreciating currency, reduced tax revenues, and increased borrowing costs. Governments facing capital flight may struggle to fund public services and development projects, leading to broader social and economic challenges.

Efforts to stem capital flight can include policy measures aimed at stabilizing the economy, improving governance, and creating a more favorable investment climate, but these efforts can be complex and require time to be effective.